Your data is stored in the cloud as opaque encrypted blocks and if you use the client to register the account, and never view your files online, then they'll never have access to your unencrypted data. The client also can be configured to allow syncing over a LAN.

You are limited to 2GB for the free account but the pricing isn't terrible at $10/mo for 100GB. You can get a 50% discount if you pay with a .edu email address.

These files are not going in the cloud. Period. I'm not afraid of the cloud, I use SkyDrive all the time. It's just these files that I've been using Mesh to sync between my machines have zero business of being anywhere but my own machines.

I've been looking for something to replace it as well. Right now I've just been running Live Mesh and Skydrive simultaneously on my machines but I know there's a point where I'll just have to stop using the now sadly abandoned (but brilliant) application.

The closest I've been able to come up with is Microsoft's SyncToy but even that hasn't been updated in like 2-3 years.

I have a ton of data I want to sync (3 TB) and cloud storage solutions are crazy expensive. My thought was to buy 1U in a colo and create a private cloud, but I couldn't find a syncing solution I liked (I was looking at rsync variants). SparkleShare seems to be exactly what I wanted.

After some internet digging, the absolute closest utility I can find is one called GBridge, but I have absolutely no idea if it's still being maintained or not. The forum posts are sparse at best and some of the most recent ones are simply spam posts that no moderator is deleting.

Edit: It looks like there might be something closer. Something from the LogMeIn company. It's a new application called Cubby. Problem is, it's still in an invite only beta. I just signed up for it and hopefully I'll get in, but so far it does sound like a viable replacement for Live Mesh.

I use the same method for all of my browsers, and keep a reg script on SD for any time when I have to make a new profile. Of course, this is just for IE, but I am certain it would work by different means with the other browsers.I stopped using XMarks because it kept making duplicate entries and/or otherwise being unreliable much of the time. The same with the old Live Mesh IE favorite sync. This way is the most reliable for me. All browsers looking at the exact same folder all of the time. Of course, keeping a recent and up to date backup is a necessity in case of an accidental deletion, but thats a snap to do.I also keep iCloud on one of my computers, so that my iDevices are always in sync also, although there is an apparent delay sometimes.Overall, it works well for me, but is again probably more complicated than its worth for some. YMMV

Well I just got my invite reply to Cubby. I'll get it installed once I'm home and report on any findings (assuming there's no NDA).

From the feature-set that I've read, I'm hopeful this could be a viable replacement for it because I would like to upgrade to Essentials 2012, but no way in hell am I doing it if it means getting rid of Live Mesh without a valid replacement.

OK, so, quick verdict so far. It does function basically just like Live Mesh. There's 5GB that you sync with the "Cloud" and anything else you can choose to sync peer to peer. It even allows you to select an already existing file on any of your other computers to "Merge" the file with. It's an extremely simple application; perhaps a little too simple in its current implementation. As it stands there's no feedback given as to how many files and/or the size of the folder you're syncing. Live Mesh would of course tell you how many files were awaiting to be synced. This gives no indication just how much is left. It does have a spinning icon to indicate the sync process is taking place but beyond that you have no idea how far it's gotten or much is left to go.

I've already given feedback in that regard to add that feature. Thankfully it's still in beta so that's still more than possible it could be added. One little detail it adds to the folders you sync is this sub-icon as shown below. Personally I like it, it's a good indicator to signify that this is in fact being synced between multiple devices and/or the cloud storage. I can imagine some might be bothered by it though. What's also kind of neat, is that the invite/cloud storage system works like Dropbox. The more people you invite the more storage you get. It's currently sitting at 1 person = 1GB of extra storage which is pretty nice I must say.

I just increased the file icon size for clarity. Finally, I have 5 invites apparently. I'm reserving one for Entegy since he started this thread and got me looking for Live Mesh alternatives so Entegy, if you want an invite just tell me so and I'll mail you one to your preferred e-mail account.

The other 4 invites (to anyone who is interested) will be on a first come, first serve basis. Post in this thread if you want an invite and the e-mail you want me to send it to (or if it's already available on your profile page) and I'll send them out.

Thanks! Email addy is on my profile. I don't like it adding an icon to my folders, but that's such a nitpick. I just want Mesh!Is it cross platform? Or is it just Windows? Windows and Mac compatibility. Woot. No Windows Phone app, but considering what I want Cubby for, that's not an issue.

Well so far, you're right. It's Windows Live Mesh. It does make a "My Cubby" folder, but you get rid of that crap and boom, you have some nice peer-to-peer. I gotta figure out how it handles conflict, but I'm just happy it exists.

The big test will be when I clean install Windows 8 later. I'll use Cubby to reload some of my folders.

Hi Entegy, thanks very much for the offer. I would love to take you up on that. Just today I figured out that Live Mesh was now gone from Windows Essentials, and after doing research, it seems like Cubby will be its replacement. I really want to try it out as I am planning on moving to Windows 8 very soon (side Q: has anyone installed Cubby on Windows 8 yet?). I am glad I found out about Cubby, as I do NOT want to sync certain files to the cloud, but rather privately via P2P. In fact, this thread has made me create my Ars Technica forum account finally after lurking for so long.

My e-mail is on my user profile, and once again, I thank you for offering one up so I don't have to wait!

Been using mesh, previous sync to sync files pc to pc on several machines for years. Did once try another software but that required the maches yo be on the same network, not an option.

Have Google Drive but you cant point it to already synced folder, have to download everything over again so unusable.Skydrive works pointing to existing folder, but their scanning policy can block you account if a program determines 1 of your pictures shows too much skin. Not really safe as it has been proven to block accounts that did nothing wrong.

I've been looking for a replacement to Windows Live Mesh for a while now, and have yet to find any good solutions, but this appears to be one. I need to start paying attention to this forum, apparently. If it weren't for your front page post, I likely would have missed this entirely. An invite would be very much appreciated. My email address is in my profile.

Plaisted wrote:

Skydrive works pointing to existing folder, but their scanning policy can block you account if a program determines 1 of your pictures shows too much skin. Not really safe as it has been proven to block accounts that did nothing wrong.